Papers by Keyword: Duplex Stainless Steel

Abstract: Uni-axial compression (UAC) tests and further post deformation annealing (PDA) were done for 23Cr-6Ni-3Mo duplex stainless steel (DSS). The initial morphology was equiaxed (EQ) in nature. In the first stage of PDA, austenite showed limited static recrystallization (SRX) followed by static recovery (SRV); however ferrite showed static recovery (SRV). In the second stage of PDA, the austenite showed grain coarsening followed by disintegration of substructures (DIS); and ferrite revealed mostly SRV leading to grain coarsening. The third stage of PDA envisages substructural disintegration of unstable substructure leading to saturation in both austenite and ferrite. The sub-structural characteristics were provided by Electron backscattered diffraction (EBSD) and its post processing were done by using HKL Channel 5 software.

Abstract: Computer simulation of the α/γ phase transformation in multipass weld of duplex stainless steel was made for predicting the distribution of the γ phase fraction in the weld metal (WM) and HAZ. The kinetic equations including rate constants of the dissolution behaviour as well as precipitation behaviour of γ phase were determined by isothermal heat treatment test. Based on the kinetic equations determined, the distribution of the γ phase fraction in multipass weld of duplex stainless steel was calculated applying the incremental method combined with the heat conduction analysis in welding process. The γ phase fraction was reduced in the higher temperature HAZ and WM, however, that in the reheated HAZ and WM was increased and recovered to the base metal level. Microstructural analysis revealed that the calculated results of the γ phase fraction in multipass weld were consistent with experimental ones. Based on the computer prediction, the microstructural improvement welding (“reheat bead welding”) process, with analogous concept to the temper bead welding technique, was newly proposed for recovering the γ phase fraction in weld even in the as-welded situation.

Abstract: Cavitation erosion (CE) behavior of 2205 duplex stainless steel (DSS) under high pressure was investigated by using water jet apparatus, which designed according to ASTM G134-95. The effects of the nozzle diameter and target distance on mass loss were analyzed. The CE behavior of 2205 DSS was evaluated by cumulative mass loss with time, and the incubation period and the CE rate were calculated by fitting results. From the scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation, it is found that the surface of 2205 DSS was damaged slightly during the CE incubation period and eroded dramatically in the accelaration stage. The energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) results showed that the Ni content in the erosion area appeared obviously lower in comparison with the non-erosion area. Meanwhile, the content of Ni in ferrite was also detected to be clearly lower than in austenite with electron back scattered diffraction (EBSD) and EDS mapping techniques. Therefore, it could be concluded that CE take place selectively on the 2205 DSS surface, the damages were initiated and progressed in ferrite phase prior to in austenite phase.

Abstract: The use of duplex stainless steels (DSSs) is steadily increasing. For many uses where joining is needed, gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) is one of the most important joining methods for DSSs. Since hydrogen embrittlement (HE) occasionally occurs in DSSs, understanding the relationship between the extent of HE and the welding condition is crucial to prevent HE. In this research, the effect of the heat input of GTAW process on the microstructure and the extent of HE in a UNS S31260 (JIS SUS329J4L) has been investigated. For this purpose, three samples have been prepared with diffrent velosity. All the samples have been cathodically hydrogen-charged, and then subjected to tensile test at a strain rate followed by fractography observation. Thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) has been carried out on the samples welded at low and average velosities. The results showed that tensile properties of the welded specimens were lower than those of base metal due to coarsening of the matrix ferrite grains and loss in the fraction balance of ferrite and austenite phases in the weld metal zone, where fracture took place.

Abstract: The hot cracking (solidification cracking) susceptibility in the weld metals of duplex stainless steels were quantitatively evaluated by Transverse-Varestraint test with gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) and laser beam welding (LBW). Three kinds of duplex stainless steels (lean, standard and super duplex stainless steels) were used for evaluation. The solidification brittle temperature ranges (BTR) of duplex stainless steels were 58K, 60K and 76K for standard, lean and super duplex stainless steels, respectively, and were comparable to those of austenitic stainless steels with FA solidification mode. The BTRs in LBW were 10-15K lower than those in GTAW for any steels. In order to clarify the governing factors of solidification cracking in duplex stainless steels, the solidification segregation behaviours of alloying and impurity elements were numerically analysed during GTAW and LBW. Although the harmful elements to solidification cracking such as P, S and C were segregated in the residual liquid phase in any joints, the solidification segregation of P, S and C in LBW was inhibited compared with GTAW due to the rapid cooling rate in LBW. It followed that the decreased solidification cracking susceptibility of duplex stainless steels in LBW would be mainly attributed to the suppression of solidification segregation of P, S and C.

Abstract: Sigma formation in duplex stainless steels is known to be detrimental to the mechanical properties of the material and limits the alloys to low temperature applications. In this paper, the surface damage caused by grinding on different grit sizes or polishing, is assessed using EBSD. The surface finish is then related to the depth of sigma formation in the surface region with a quantification of how the surface finish effects the sigma nucleation and growth. Finally, the effect of surface finish and sigma formation on the oxidation characteristics of the material is considered.

Abstract: The evolution of the deformation structure with strain has been studied using electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Samples from interrupted uniaxial tensile tests and from a cyclic tension/compression test were investigated. The evolution of low angle boundaries (LABs) was studied using boundary maps and by measuring the LAB density. From calculations of local misorientations, smaller orientation changes in the substructure can be illustrated. The different orientations developed with strain within a grain, due to operation of different slip systems in different parts of the grain, were studied using a misorientation profile showing substantial orientation changes after a true strain of 0.24. The texture evolution with increasing strain was followed by using inverse pole figures (IPFs). The observed substructure development in the ferritic and austenitic phases could be successfully correlated with the stress-strain curve from a tensile test. LABs were first observed in the different phases when the strain hardening rate changed in appearance indicating that cross slip started to operate as a significant dislocation recovery mechanism. The evolution of the deformation structure is concluded to occur in a similar manner in the austenitic and ferritic phases but with different texture evolution for the two phases.

Abstract: The UNS S32205 duplex stainless steel was warm rolled at 600°C with 60 and 80% of thickness reduction. The microstructure was characterized by optical, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry and EBSD. The corrosion resistance was evaluated by electrochemical behavior in the chlorine ion environment using potentiodynamic polarization measurements. The tensile strength reached 1185 MPa and 1328 MPa, after warm rolling with 60 and 80%, respectively. In steel as-supplied, hot rolled and annealed, the tensile strength was 774 MPa. Ferrite microtexture presented the α-fiber and the rotated cube component, while the austenite enhanced the brass, copper, and cube components to a lesser extent. The substructure was characterized by intense formation of tangles and forests of dislocations and discrete subgrains in the ferritic phase and by planar gliding of dislocations and formation of dense dislocations walls in the austenite. Despite the existence of a certain similarity among the values of pitting potentials obtained for all samples, the number of pits observed was higher in the as-received sample, followed by the samples with 60 and 80% reduction. These results draw attention to innovative routes in the industrial production of duplex stainless steel of this class, even considering ductility lost. Keywords: Warm rolling; Mechanical strength; Texture; Substructure; Corrosion resistance

Abstract: This study describes the thermal diffusivity of thin duplex steel plates in the thickness direction measured using the laser-flash method after welding. The work reports the experimental efforts in recording temperature profiles of the grade UNS S32304 duplex steel during autogenous welding. The butt weld autogenous joints were carried out by the GTAW (gas tungsten arc welding) process with either argon or argon - 2% nitrogen atmospheres. The amount of nitrogen in the heat affected regions, after welding, was measured and correlated with the variation of the thermal diffusivity of the studied material. The temperature profiles were obtained using k-type thermocouples connected to a digital data acquisition system. Different thermal cycles and thermal diffusivity values were observed in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) for both samples. In the solidified zone (SZ) was observed similar increase of the thermal diffusivity values for the plates welded with pure argon and argon plus nitrogen atmosphere.

Abstract: The formation of intermetallic phases during thermal treatments is a decisive point for the performance of duplex stainless steels, which may prevent the obtaining or provoke degradation of their properties. This paper presents an investigation on the corrosion resistance of duplex SAF 2205 steel as received and after solution annealing treatment. The objective was to evaluate the correlation between the solution annealing time, the resulting microstructural changes and the corrosion resistance of the steel through electrochemical tests of cyclic potentiodynamic polarization and double-cycle potentiokinetic reactivation (DL-EPR). The heat treatments were performed at 1100° C for 30, 120 and 240 min with subsequent air cooling. The results of the DL-EPR showed that although there was no presence of intermetallic phases even with the absence of intermetallic phases, the solution annealing time influenced the degree of chromium depletion of the samples, so that with the increase of time, there was an increase in the degree of chrome depletion.